The 23-year-old from São Paulo made himself the face of the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico as he stormed to 11 gold medals in as many races.

Dias, who claimed three gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics and is likely to do even better at London 2012, also set seven Games records in Mexico on the way to winning all of his events.

He is joined on the shortlist by five other nominees who starred in Guadalajara including Chelsea McClammer of the United States.

The 17-year-old wheelchair racer won five golds and a bronze at the Parapans and set Games records in the 200 and 800-metre T54 races to show that she will be a real threat at London 2012.

Next on the list is another 17-year-old in the form of young Argentinean wheelchair tennis star Gustavo Fernandez (pictured below centre).


Fernandez won the men's singles gold at the Parapans with a dominating, two-set victory over teammate Augustin Ledesma before he teamed up with Ledesma in the men's doubles competition to take home a silver.

Luis Andrade Guillen of Mexico is next up after the S8 swimmer won four golds, three silvers and a bronze at the Parapans and set Games records in the 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly and the 200m individual medley.

It is two teams that complete the shortlist with Colombia's men's wheelchair basketball team and the Brazilian men's sitting volleyball team both included.

The Columbian wheelchair basketball team shocked favourites Canada in the semi-finals and despite losing to USA in the finals the team claimed a superb silver medal and qualified for their first Paralympic Games.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian sitting volleyball team earned the sole London 2012 qualification spot up for grabs in men's competition in Mexico after winning six of seven of its matches at the Parapans and defeating USA in the finals to win gold.

The public has until 23:59 (CET) on December 6 to vote for a winner on the IPC's Facebook page.

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